comment
Americannoun
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a remark, observation, or criticism.
a comment about the weather.
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His frequent absences gave rise to comment.
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a criticism or interpretation, often by implication or suggestion.
The play is a comment on modern society.
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Digital Technology. a user response to published content on the internet, written in a designated “Comments” section, often below the published content.
There were many online comments criticizing the author.
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a note in explanation, expansion, or criticism of a passage in a book, article, or the like; annotation.
- Synonyms:
- commentary, addendum
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explanatory or critical matter added to a text.
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Also called rheme. Linguistics. the part of a sentence that communicates new information about the topic.
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
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a remark, criticism, or observation
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talk or gossip
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a note explaining or criticizing a passage in a text
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explanatory or critical matter added to a text
verb
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to remark or express an opinion
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(intr) to write notes explaining or criticizing a text
Usage
What is a basic definition of comment? A comment is a remark or observation that expresses a person’s observation or criticism. To comment is to make such a remark. A comment is also a reply from a user to published material on the internet. Comment has several other senses as a noun and a verb. When people make comments, they are giving their opinion or perspective on something in the form of an observation or criticism. Comments are usually short statements. The word commentary is used for longer criticism or a group of comments. A person who offers a comment is a commenter.
- Real-life examples: Managers often want (or pretend to want) comments from their staff when looking for feedback about something. When people chat, they often share comments about many topics, such as sports, the weather, or politics. A backseat driver delivers unwanted comments about another person’s driving abilities.
- Used in a sentence: The contractor listened to the owner’s comments about what the new house should look like.
- Used in a sentence: The company didn’t want to comment on the scandal.
- Real-life examples: News websites and YouTube videos allow users to post comments. Most websites will ban or suspend users who post especially profane or offensive comments.
- Used in a sentence: The video resulted in a lot of supportive comments from fans.
Related Words
See remark.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of comment
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English com(m)ent “explanatory note, comment,” from Old French comment “commentary,” from Late Latin commentum “interpretation, comment,” from Latin: “device, fabrication, falsehood,” noun use of neuter of commentus “contrived,” past participle of comminīscī “to contrive, devise”; cf. com- ( def. ), mental 1 ( def. )
Explanation
To comment is to state your opinion or make a remark on something. Of course, it's good to know when to hold your tongue. Comment on the latest movie? No problem. Comment on the annoying airport security measures while having your baggage checked? Better not. A written explanation or criticism is a comment. Your teacher's comments on your paper may thrill you when you do excellent work or unnerve you when you receive the message, "See me!" If you state your opinion, this is also a comment. Politicians talking to the press are fond of the statement, "No comment," which means they don't want to express an opinion — or more likely, they don't want to get in trouble.
Vocabulary lists containing comment
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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"Made You Laugh"
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The Titan's Curse
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The BBC tracked down the originator of the Croydon AI videos for the new podcast Top Comment, which investigates the stories behind our social media feeds.
From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026
“He has such an aversion to being liked,” David Thomson wrote, in a 1983 issue of Film Comment, about Shepard’s screen presence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
The 26-year-old pop singer talked about what she missed about life before she made it big, appearing on “The Comment Section With Drew Afualo” podcast Wednesday.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2024
In an appearance on Drew Afualo’s podcast “The Comment Section,” the “Casual” singer opened up on how fame changed her life overnight.
From Salon • Jul. 18, 2024
Comment added by Anne on September 28, 1942:
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
